One Opinion: Highlights — and lowlights — of the debate

The moderators of last night’s debate were more interested in sparking conflicts than in providing information. And the analysts are giving way too much credit to the debates, as though each debate is a make-or-break event.

For instance, it’s doubtful that Ben Carson’s rise in the polls had much to do with his first debate performance. Carson has gone about his business quietly and effectively despite the debates.

It’s still way too soon to know whom to support, but here is a glance at the current lineup of candidates.

Jeb Bush: He did what he had to do without making any big mistake, other than admitting he had smoked pot 20 years ago. (“Sorry, Mom,” he added.)

Carly Fiorina: She knocked it out of the park and proved she could stand with the best of them. Lots of good moments, but one of her best was on issues of foreign policy. How would you talk to Vladimir Putin? “Having met him,” she said she wouldn’t talk to him at all. “We’ve talked way too much,” she said. “On my first day as president, I would be talking to my friend Bibi Netanyahu,” and without hesitation, she outlined further actions she would take.

Marco Rubio: As far as speaking only English, he said sometimes it can be good to give a message in Spanish without having to go through the Univision filter.

Ted Cruz:He never hesitates and his answers are always in relation to the Constitution. Cruz comes from the perspective that he did not get elected to play games with those entrenched in Washington politics.

Despite pressure from his own party, he says that, if elected president, he “... will rip to shreds this Iranian nuclear deal” because it is nothing short of catastrophic. Cruz remains steadfast, just as the Republican establishment remains steadfast against him.

Chris Christie:He chuckled when he pointed out that, as governor in the blue state of New Jersey, he’s vetoed hundreds of bills passed by his own crazy liberal legislature, and he vetoed Planned Parenthood funding eight times.

Scott Walker:It’s not looking good for his future in this campaign.

Rand Paul:His attacks on Trump were not well received.

Mike Huckabee: He began by saying that “none of us on this stage” are socialists, nor are we being investigated by the FBI for destroying government records and leaking secrets. “We are the ‘A Team’ and we even have our own Mr. T.”

His other comments were obviously aimed at the evangelical vote.

John Kasich:Not impressive, but some are predicting that the Washington Republican establishment is leaning away from Bush and toward Kasich. Stay tuned.

Ben Carson:His performance did not stand out, but I’m not sure that means anything. Carson is his own man and knows who he is. He does not seek sound bites to gain support.

Lindsey Graham: Love his Southern accent, but writing him off for this round.

George Pataki: Not in the race.

Rick Santorum:Not ready for prime time.

Rick Perry:The first to officially -- and gracefully -- bow out.

Bobby Jindal: Despite his standing as a second-tier-candidate, he needs to be part of the new administration. “What’s the point of winning if we don’t act?” he asked his fellow Republicans. If we can’t defund Planned Parenthood, why do we even need a Republican Party?

He is more frustrated with his own party than with Washington. (Some criticized that comment as “cannibalizing,” but it is reality.)

It’s time to thin the herd, and that about sums it up, but for this comment from the DNC’s Holly Shulman: “Lots of attacks on women, immigrants, other Republicans and even a Reagan adviser, but not a single serious policy proposal that would help the middle class.”

Bob: Just as I thought, you are a DEMO supporter. Facts are clear that the shutdown cost taxpayers Billions, who cares about principles....Pro-Choice believes abortions are ok based on their principles, does that justify their cause?

New Guy, The shutdown was about principle, not money. Something I'm fairly certain is far beyond your understanding. Politics is fickle. As for the bet on the election, someone would have to be naive and not very smart to... More ›

New Guy, The shutdown was about principle, not money. Something I'm fairly certain is far beyond your understanding. Politics is fickle. As for the bet on the election, someone would have to be naive and not very smart to even suggest such a thing! I guess that would be me or is that you?

The "shutdown" was used by this administration as punishment, for instance, not answering phones at the IRS and closing some national parks and monuments. It was a power play on the part of the president and will... More ›

The "shutdown" was used by this administration as punishment, for instance, not answering phones at the IRS and closing some national parks and monuments. It was a power play on the part of the president and will be used as such again. The media will allow it.

Bob: I know you are not very smart when you think a $24 Billion bill for the 16 day shutdown was nothing to ordinary citizens. Pull your head out of that dark space you like to hide in. What about that $100 bet, just as I... More ›

Bob: I know you are not very smart when you think a $24 Billion bill for the 16 day shutdown was nothing to ordinary citizens. Pull your head out of that dark space you like to hide in. What about that $100 bet, just as I thought, all talk and no action.

"your ilk" LOL. First of all, Bob, what the hell makes me accountable to you? Go ahead, be a GOP establishment zombie. Let them serve up bullcrap to you cycle after cycle and still get you to show up and pull... More ›

"your ilk" LOL. First of all, Bob, what the hell makes me accountable to you? Go ahead, be a GOP establishment zombie. Let them serve up bullcrap to you cycle after cycle and still get you to show up and pull the [R] lever and vote the party line. You, my friend, are the reason the GOP treats Texas with the disdain they do - like a bowling ball, they can roll us in the gutter and we just keep coming back. I am done. Either they stand for something other than their own power, or they can forget getting my vote. Why does it matter if Democrats win, if the other choice is Democrat-Lite? I am sick of being played for a fool.. and I think a lot of America is with me - Trump's popularity is a protest vote.

The last time the government was shut down nobody really knew. It affects absolutely nothing important to the lives of ordinary citizens. Which means, if you think about it, many of the federal government duties and programs... More ›

The last time the government was shut down nobody really knew. It affects absolutely nothing important to the lives of ordinary citizens. Which means, if you think about it, many of the federal government duties and programs are absolutely worthless and unnecessary! What did YOU miss? Point made!

President Obama is the one who will risk shutting down the government (parks and White House tours, etc.) over funding of Planned Parenthood. Of course, the chicken Republicans are shaking in their boots over this because they... More ›

President Obama is the one who will risk shutting down the government (parks and White House tours, etc.) over funding of Planned Parenthood. Of course, the chicken Republicans are shaking in their boots over this because they are afraid of being blamed. That is the problem. They are AFRAID.

Russel, You stated ... "I promise you this, if Jeb is the candidate in 2016 I will vote 3rd party". If you do that, you'll be taking 1 vote away from the Republican and thereby voting for the Democrat. You need... More ›

Russel, You stated ... "I promise you this, if Jeb is the candidate in 2016 I will vote 3rd party". If you do that, you'll be taking 1 vote away from the Republican and thereby voting for the Democrat. You need to at least consider that perhaps your ilk are the reason the Republican elite always seems to get their way ... you quit fighting for the candidate(s) you believe in. Why don't you spit out who you really want and tell us why you will vote for him/her/them. And, at this point in time, it could be several. Take a stand man! Pledge you life, your fortune, and your sacred honor!

The entire primary process is a farce. Each cycle we get sucked into being interested in who's in the primary, only to see that by the time Texas gets to actually vote the establishment GOP has managed to get their approved... More ›

The entire primary process is a farce. Each cycle we get sucked into being interested in who's in the primary, only to see that by the time Texas gets to actually vote the establishment GOP has managed to get their approved candidate as the only real choice. In 2012, 1/3 of Texas Republicans essentially threw their votes away voting for candidates that had essentially already been eliminated. The only fair primary would to have the entire country vote at once. When was the last time a Republican candidate came to Texas during the primary stumping for votes like they do in Iowa. Sure, they'll bounce through during the campaign itself to spend a few hours at a $1000/plate fund raiser, but none of them will be having breackfast at Jacks to meet the voters. I forecast now that Jeb Bush will be the candidate. Over the next 8 months people will drop, or have baseless accusations or innuendo, or whatever it takes to make sure that no Texan will get to cast an effective vote for Carly or Ben. Its all a scam, and the sooner Texans realize that, the sooner we can take back our power by telling the GOP establishment to get stuffed. There's a reason I don't attend Republican meetings anymore. In 2012, when we got clocked (again), the topic was not why we let the GOP establishment lose another election for us.. it was a big debate about allowing the concession stand at the event center be open to sell beer at an event that had not in the past been dry - I've seen people bring their own wine. We had a vote and it was approved, but the Republican Temperance Committee kept marching on and while I'm sitting at my dying mother's side at a Hospital in Houston I'm being pestered to change my vote. I resigned. THIS is what is important? Since when was the Republican Party the Temperance Party? My sister's father-in-law is a Party Delegate in Dallas and I told him what was going on and he was speechless. So, yea, I don't even take the local party seriously. I promise you this, if Jeb is the candidate in 2016 I will vote 3rd party . I will NOT cast another zombie vote for the "lesser of two evils" which are the same evil.

To All, I would suggest that before we start picking and choosing 14 months in advance of the election, we might want to consider the makeup of the new government under a successful Republican run. I would wager many of you... More ›

To All, I would suggest that before we start picking and choosing 14 months in advance of the election, we might want to consider the makeup of the new government under a successful Republican run. I would wager many of you have not even considered the other folks up for reelection in 2016. Are you aware that only 10 Democrat places are up for reelection and 24 Republican places are up? We could easily lose the Senate majority and see a reduction of our majority in the House since the total House is up for reelection. We can blame that on no one else but our pitiful, inept, cowardly leadership folks ... John Boehner in the House and Mitch McConnell in the Senate. Unless we demand a change of leadership ASAP, and replace them with folks with cajones (not establishment, good ole' boy types), this nightmare may come true. Think about it.

You are right, David. I think Santorum is a nice guy, but I really don't know much about his politics. Last night's show certainly did not present an opportunity to gain information. The moderators wanted to see fireworks rather... More ›

You are right, David. I think Santorum is a nice guy, but I really don't know much about his politics. Last night's show certainly did not present an opportunity to gain information. The moderators wanted to see fireworks rather than address issues. This show was all about ratings.

What makes one ready for prime time? Rick Santorum came in 2nd in the last primaries didn't he? Not bad for a grass roots campaign not backed by the establishment. If these debates were fair they would be debating 8 at a time... More ›

What makes one ready for prime time? Rick Santorum came in 2nd in the last primaries didn't he? Not bad for a grass roots campaign not backed by the establishment. If these debates were fair they would be debating 8 at a time picked by some type of lottery and not by some polls that have no effect on anything a year from now. I think the debate was CNN's effort to get ratings and was quite entertaining but not really any type of fair, serious debate between candidates. I learned nothing new except that Jeb smoked dope.

We likely will not hear from the mainstream media about what could have been Carly Fiorina's strongest statement in last night's debate. In a very serious tone, she looked straight into the camera and described a Planned Parenthood... More ›

We likely will not hear from the mainstream media about what could have been Carly Fiorina's strongest statement in last night's debate. In a very serious tone, she looked straight into the camera and described a Planned Parenthood video: She challenged Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to watch it as a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating and legs kicking, while someone from Planned Parenthood said we have to keep it alive to harvest its brain. She said THIS IS THE CHARACTER OF THE NATION AT STAKE as we battle over funding Planned Parenthood.

I also like Carson. Santorum, Graham, and Pataki have no business in the race. Huckabee, while strong in his faith and steadfast in his principals, just can't swim over the dam. He, like Jindal, would be great in the cabinet.... More ›

I also like Carson. Santorum, Graham, and Pataki have no business in the race. Huckabee, while strong in his faith and steadfast in his principals, just can't swim over the dam. He, like Jindal, would be great in the cabinet. Christie, given his track record as a former U.S. Attorney, would make one heck of an attorney general.